.gif)
State Highway Loop 1 (Texas)
Encyclopedia
Loop 1 is a controlled-access
highway
which provides access to the west side of Austin
in the U.S. state of Texas
. It is named Mopac Expressway (or, according to some highway signs, Mopac Boulevard) after the Missouri Pacific Railroad
(or "MoPac"). The original section of the highway was built in the 1970s along the right-of-way
of the Missouri Pacific Railroad (now owned by Union Pacific
), with the railroad tracks running in the highway median
between West 8th Street and Northland Drive. To the north, the tracks run along the east side of newer sections of the highway from Northland Drive to Braker Lane.
The number was originally used for Texas State Highway Spur 1 designated by 1939 from US 90 to the Uvalde
fish hatchery. This route was cancelled in 1943. In 1958, a new route was designated, also called Spur 1, from US 80A to IH 10
. This route became Loop 16 in 1964.
Loop 1 was first designated in October 1967 from U.S. Highway 290 (US 290) northward to Farm to Market Road 1325
(FM 1325). In October 1985, the designation was extended southward from US 290 to SH 45.
In the year 1982 construction on the highway was completed from Research Boulevard
to Texas State Highway Loop 360. The northern extension of Loop 1 started construction in 1986 and completed 3 years later in 1989.
Construction of the extension from US 290 to SH 45 was completed in 1994. Only minor changes have taken place to Loop 1 after the extension that was completed in 1994. The MoPac 1 Project will study feasibility of managed lanes for Loop 1, and included in the Mobility 2030 Plan that was adopted by CAMPO
in June 2005.
stub south of Austin. It intersects SH 71
/US 290 (Ben White Boulevard) and Loop 360
(Capital of Texas Highway). It crosses the Colorado River
near downtown Austin and intersects US 183 (Research Boulevard) northwest of downtown. Loop 1 travels concurrently with Farm to Market Road 1325 for several miles before the non-tolled freeway ends at Parmer Lane, spanning a distance of 22.061 miles (35.504 km).
North of Parmer Lane, Loop 1 continues as a limited-access toll road
to the SH 45 North
/Loop 1 interchange, spanning 3 miles (4.8 km). Frontage roads flank either side of the toll road to Shoreline Drive.
The Texas Department of Transportation completed construction of the tollway as part of the 2002 Central Texas Turnpike Project (CTTP). SH 45 North
, also part of the project, provides freeway access to Interstate 35 from Loop 1. The 2002 CTTP was scheduled to be completed in September 2007. However, certain sections of the project, including Loop 1 opened early and more than $100 Million under budget.
If and when SH 45
is completed to the south of Austin, Loop 1 will effectively serve as a true loop to the west of the city, being directly connected to SH 45, and indirectly to I-35, at both ends.
Since 1994, TxDOT has proposed the addition of managed lanes to portions of Loop 1. The MoPac Improvement Project was relaunched in July 2010. In December 2010, four alternative proposals were presented to the public, each of which would add one or more lanes; the "no-build" alternative was also presented.
The additions would not increase the right-of-way of the highway, but would be created by reducing the width of existing lanes and reducing and/or eliminating shoulders.
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
which provides access to the west side of Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in the U.S. state of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It is named Mopac Expressway (or, according to some highway signs, Mopac Boulevard) after the Missouri Pacific Railroad
Missouri Pacific Railroad
The Missouri Pacific Railroad , also known as the MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers, including the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway , Texas and Pacific...
(or "MoPac"). The original section of the highway was built in the 1970s along the right-of-way
Right-of-way (railroad)
A right-of-way is a strip of land that is granted, through an easement or other mechanism, for transportation purposes, such as for a trail, driveway, rail line or highway. A right-of-way is reserved for the purposes of maintenance or expansion of existing services with the right-of-way...
of the Missouri Pacific Railroad (now owned by Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
), with the railroad tracks running in the highway median
Central reservation
On divided roads, such as divided highways or freeways/motorways, the central reservation , median, parkway , median strip or central nature strip is the area which separates opposing lanes of traffic...
between West 8th Street and Northland Drive. To the north, the tracks run along the east side of newer sections of the highway from Northland Drive to Braker Lane.
History
The first mention of Loop 1 came to public record in 1929. In 1944, the C.M.A.C (City of Austin Planning Commission) proposed the highway be built in parts of under-utilized right of way owned by the MoPac railroad. The highway was eventually given the nickname "MoPac" for its proximity to the railroad.The number was originally used for Texas State Highway Spur 1 designated by 1939 from US 90 to the Uvalde
Uvalde, Texas
Uvalde is a city in and the county seat of Uvalde County, Texas, United States. The population was 14,929 at the 2000 census.Uvalde was founded by Reading Wood Black in 1853 as the town of Encina. In 1856, when the county was organized, the town was renamed Uvalde for Spanish governor Juan de...
fish hatchery. This route was cancelled in 1943. In 1958, a new route was designated, also called Spur 1, from US 80A to IH 10
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
. This route became Loop 16 in 1964.
Loop 1 was first designated in October 1967 from U.S. Highway 290 (US 290) northward to Farm to Market Road 1325
Farm to Market Road 1325
Farm to Market Road 1325 is a roadway located in Travis and Williamson counties of Texas. Along much of its length it is referred to as Burnet Road.- History :...
(FM 1325). In October 1985, the designation was extended southward from US 290 to SH 45.
In the year 1982 construction on the highway was completed from Research Boulevard
U.S. Route 183
U.S. Route 183 is a north–south United States highway. U.S. 183 was the last US route to be completely paved. The 20 mile segment in Loup County, Nebraska, north of Taylor, was unpaved until 1967. The highway's northern terminus is in Presho, South Dakota, at an intersection with...
to Texas State Highway Loop 360. The northern extension of Loop 1 started construction in 1986 and completed 3 years later in 1989.
Construction of the extension from US 290 to SH 45 was completed in 1994. Only minor changes have taken place to Loop 1 after the extension that was completed in 1994. The MoPac 1 Project will study feasibility of managed lanes for Loop 1, and included in the Mobility 2030 Plan that was adopted by CAMPO
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is the federally required Metropolitan Planning Organization responsible for the continuous and comprehensive transportation planning process in the Austin, Texas area, including Williamson, Travis, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell counties...
in June 2005.
Route description
Loop 1's southern terminus is at the beginning of the State Highway 45State Highway 45 (Texas)
State Highway 45 is a highway loop around Austin, Texas that exists in two open segments. The official designation of SH 45 is such to form a complete loop around Austin, a distance of roughly ....
stub south of Austin. It intersects SH 71
State Highway 71 (Texas)
State Highway 71 or SH 71 is a Texas state highway that runs . The northern terminus is at US 87 and US 377 south of Brady and its southern terminus is at SH 35 near Blessing. This highway is designated the "10th Mountain Division Highway" from SH 95 to Interstate 35.Through Austin, SH 71 is known...
/US 290 (Ben White Boulevard) and Loop 360
State Highway Loop 360 (Texas)
Loop 360 is a loop route in Austin in the U.S. state of Texas. Loop 360 is a scenic highway winding through the hills of West Austin. The road is described by the Texas Department of Transportation as "a 4-lane depressed median arterial with at-grade signalized intersections." In 2001, the...
(Capital of Texas Highway). It crosses the Colorado River
Colorado River (Texas)
The Colorado River is a river that runs through the U.S. state of Texas; it should not be confused with the much longer Colorado River which flows from Colorado into the Gulf of California....
near downtown Austin and intersects US 183 (Research Boulevard) northwest of downtown. Loop 1 travels concurrently with Farm to Market Road 1325 for several miles before the non-tolled freeway ends at Parmer Lane, spanning a distance of 22.061 miles (35.504 km).
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
to the SH 45 North
State Highway 45 (Texas)
State Highway 45 is a highway loop around Austin, Texas that exists in two open segments. The official designation of SH 45 is such to form a complete loop around Austin, a distance of roughly ....
/Loop 1 interchange, spanning 3 miles (4.8 km). Frontage roads flank either side of the toll road to Shoreline Drive.
The Texas Department of Transportation completed construction of the tollway as part of the 2002 Central Texas Turnpike Project (CTTP). SH 45 North
State Highway 45 (Texas)
State Highway 45 is a highway loop around Austin, Texas that exists in two open segments. The official designation of SH 45 is such to form a complete loop around Austin, a distance of roughly ....
, also part of the project, provides freeway access to Interstate 35 from Loop 1. The 2002 CTTP was scheduled to be completed in September 2007. However, certain sections of the project, including Loop 1 opened early and more than $100 Million under budget.
If and when SH 45
State Highway 45 (Texas)
State Highway 45 is a highway loop around Austin, Texas that exists in two open segments. The official designation of SH 45 is such to form a complete loop around Austin, a distance of roughly ....
is completed to the south of Austin, Loop 1 will effectively serve as a true loop to the west of the city, being directly connected to SH 45, and indirectly to I-35, at both ends.
Since 1994, TxDOT has proposed the addition of managed lanes to portions of Loop 1. The MoPac Improvement Project was relaunched in July 2010. In December 2010, four alternative proposals were presented to the public, each of which would add one or more lanes; the "no-build" alternative was also presented.
The additions would not increase the right-of-way of the highway, but would be created by reducing the width of existing lanes and reducing and/or eliminating shoulders.
Exit list
There are no mileposts associated with this highway.| County | Location | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Travis County, Texas As of 2009, the U.S. census estimates there were 1,026,158 people, 320,766 households, and 183,798 families residing in the county. The population density was 821 people per square mile . There were 335,881 housing units at an average density of 340 per square mile... |
Austin Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in... |
||
| La Crosse Avenue | |||
| Slaughter Lane | |||
| South end of freeway | |||
| Davis Lane | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||
| William Cannon Drive | |||
| Frontage Road | Southbound exit only | ||
| Left hand exit | |||
| Barton Skyway | |||
| Cesar Chavez Street | |||
| 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard | |||
| Enfield Road | |||
| Windsor Road | |||
| Westover Road, Northwood Road | |||
| 35th Street | |||
| 45th Street | |||
| Far West Boulevard | |||
| Anderson Lane, Spicewood Springs Road | Southbound exit is via Steck Avenue exit | ||
| Steck Avenue | |||
| (Frontage Road) | Unsigned exit | ||
| Southbound exit to US 183 north is via Capital of Texas Hwy | |||
| Capital of Texas Highway | To | ||
| Braker Lane | |||
| South end of FM 1325 overlap | |||
| Waters Park Road | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||
| Scofield Ridge Parkway | Northbound exit and southbound entrance. Last free exit. | ||
| North end of FM 1325 overlap | |||
| Shoreline Drive | No southbound exit | ||
| Williamson Williamson County, Texas Williamson County is a county located on both the Edwards Plateau to the west, consisting of rocky terrain and hills, and Blackland Prairies in the east consising of rich, fertile farming land, The two areas are roughly bisected by Interstate 35... |
Northbound exit and southbound entrance | ||